MMWR News Synopsis
Friday, May 28, 2021
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation ─ United States, 2019
- HIV Viral Load Monitoring Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy — Eight Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, 2013–2018
- Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements To Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020 (Early Release May 21, 2021)
- COVID-19 Testing To Sustain In-Person Instruction and Extracurricular Activities in High Schools — Utah, November 2020–March 2021 (Early Release May 21, 2021)
- Notes from the Field
- QuickStats
Articles
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation ─ United States, 2019
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
A new study of 2019 birth certificate data finds that breastfeeding initiation rates vary geographically, with large racial/ethnic disparities existing both nationally and at state and territorial levels. Breastfeeding initiation rates ranged from 90.3% among Asian mothers to 73.6% among Black mothers nationally, a disparity of 16.7 percentage points. The magnitude of disparity between the highest and lowest breastfeeding rates by racial/ethnic groups in each state also varied, ranging from 6.6 percentage points in Vermont (Black mothers and Asian mothers higher than white mothers) to 37.6 percentage points in North Dakota (Asian mothers higher than American Indian/Alaska Native mothers). States with lower breastfeeding initiation rates generally had a higher burden of racial/ethnic disparities than states with higher initiation rates.
HIV Viral Load Monitoring Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy — Eight Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, 2013–2018
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
A recently published study conducted by CDC and partners in eight sub-Sahara African countries from 2013–2018 found substantial progress in the scale-up of HIV viral load testing among people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). These efforts demonstrate each country’s commitment to reaching the third goal of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) by ensuring 95% of all people receiving ART achieve viral suppression. The success of HIV viral load testing scale-up in eight sub-Saharan nations coincided with renewed government commitments, sustained assistance, and support from international donors. Study data show more than 23 million people were receiving ART in 2018 compared with 8 million in 2010. ART is intended to suppress a person’s HIV viral load — that is, the amount of virus circulating in a person’s blood — to a level that is undetectable. While challenges remain with specimen transport and the development of a skilled workforce, each country’s determination to reach the UNAIDS goal of viral load suppression continues to make progress. Seven of the eight sub-Saharan countries in the study have achieved viral load suppression rates greater than 85%. Through effective partnerships with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), ministries of health, and local stakeholders, CDC continues to assist countries in working toward HIV epidemic control.
Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements To Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020 (Early Release May 21, 2021)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
COVID-19 Testing To Sustain In-Person Instruction and Extracurricular Activities in High Schools — Utah, November 2020–March 2021 (Early Release May 21, 2021)
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that routine care of HIV patients and delivery of routine services continue and that innovative approaches be implemented to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for patients and health care workers. In countries supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC collaborated with ministries of health to help restore — and in some cases, expand — HIV viral load (VL) testing coverage following the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions, demonstrating the effectiveness of a variety of innovative strategies. PEPFAR and international donors support 50 countries by investing in diagnostic testing, life-saving antiretroviral treatment (ART), and VL testing to monitor treatment outcomes. In countries supported by PEPFAR, CDC collaborated with ministries of health to help restore HIV VL testing coverage following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. In some countries — Uganda, for example — the number of ART patients with a documented VL test result increased to levels greater than before the onset of the pandemic. CDC and PEPFAR are committed to maintaining the momentum established toward meeting the third “95” target (viral load suppression among 95% of HIV-positive persons receiving ART) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.
